5 Classic Cookies in 5 Ingredients or Less

Leaves are changing, days are getting shorter, and winter is right around the corner—all signs that it’s the perfect time of year to bake the cookies you’ve been craving. And what better way to enjoy this simple pleasure in life than some VERY simple five-ingredient (or less) recipes?

SeriousFun camp chefs are experts at navigating dietary restrictions and severe allergies—sometimes accommodating more than 50 different diets during one camp session. In that spirit, we’ve provided an ingredient conversion table at the top of this article with substitutions. Reference it as needed!

Remove from heat and stir in the oats (and raisins and chocolate chips if opting for those).

Use a tablespoon to drop cookies onto wax paper. No baking needed.

Let stand until firm; enjoy!

4. Peanut* Butter Cookies

*If allergic to peanuts, use a different butter of your choice! See above.

Ingredients

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp baking soda

½ cup milk chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C).

Mix all ingredients together (except chocolate chips).

When all ingredients are incorporated well, mix in chocolate chips.

Form dough into 1 ½ inch balls and place on cookie sheet.

If desired, use a fork to press in traditional peanut butter cookie lattice.

Bake for 9 minutes.

Let cool; enjoy!

5. Snicker Doodle

Ingredients

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 cup salted butter – room temperature

1 ½ cups sugar

2 large eggs

Topping Ingredients

2 tbsp sugar

2tsp ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C).

Sift dry ingredients together.

Mix butter and sugar with an electric mixer about 3 minutes.

Mix eggs into butter and sugar.

Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients.

In a separate bowl, combine topping sugar and cinnamon.

Shape dough into balls, roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture and put on baking sheet.

Bake cookies 12-15 minutes until the edges begin to brown.

Let cool; enjoy!

BONUS: Gingerbread Cookie

Ingredients

1 box spice cake mix

1 egg

½ cup melted butter

2-3 tbsp flour (optional)

Cookie cutters (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C).

Mix cake mix, egg and butter.

If dough is sticky, add flour until no longer sticky.

Roll dough out to ¼” - ½” thick.

Cut dough into desired shapes.

Place on baking sheet.

Bake for 9-12 minutes until cookies are set.

Let cool; enjoy!

We hope you enjoy these cookies as much as we do. And as always, add a bit of camp fun of your own: try topping cookies with icing, buttercream, chocolate chips, sprinkles, or berries. Let your imagination (and appetite!) soar as you whip up some tasty treats.

Samantha’s favorite thing in the world is smiling kiddos. A close second is probably sloths . . . or chocolate. Teach her something new, the more esoteric the better, and she’ll be your best friend. Her work ensures there are quality medical, safety, and program standards in place at all SeriousFun camps and programs.